Newcastle United have a real 'opportunity' to upset the established order this season because the Magpies are not playing in Europe.
That is according to Tim Sherwood after Newcastle went into the World Cup break in third place following a superb start to the campaign. Newcastle, as a result, will be above Spurs, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in the table on Christmas Day.
Newcastle's remarkable turnaround comes down to so much more than playing fewer games than their rivals, of course, when the Magpies were in the relegation zone this time last year despite not having any European commitments then, either. However, Howe's side have at least been able to predominantly focus on the Premier League once more. In fact, Newcastle have only played two matches in another competition and, even then, Howe was able to make changes for those Carabao Cup ties against Tranmere and Crystal Palace.
